Appellant Russel Ray Wolfe ("Wolfe") entered a guilty plea on one count of
counterfeiting under 18 U.S.C. § 474, and a conditional guilty plea on one count of
possession of child pornography under 18 U.S.C. § 2252. Wolfe's guilty plea on the
pornography charge was conditioned upon his right to appeal the district court's denial of
his motion to suppress evidence seized during a search of his computer's hard drive. The
search was conducted pursuant to a warrant issued by United States Magistrate Judge
Frank McCarthy, but Wolfe contends that the affidavit relied upon by Judge McCarthy to
establish probable cause for the warrant was insufficient as a matter of law and thus that
the warrant was invalid. We AFFIRM the district court's decision to deny Wolfe's
motion to suppress.

BACKGROUND

Wolfe came to the attention of agents of the United States Secret Service after his
friend, Randy Ray Scott, was arrested in Garland, Texas for trying to pass counterfeit
United States currency. Scott informed the agents that he and Wolfe had engaged in the
counterfeiting venture together, and provided the agents with information about
counterfeiting equipment and evidence of illegal counterfeiting activity possessed by
Wolfe. The agents used Scott's information to obtain a search warrant for Wolfe's
residence.(1) Pursuant to the warrant, federal
agents seized Wolfe's personal computer and
numerous floppy and compact disks as evidence related to the counterfeiting charge.
During the course of this search, the agents also saw three items unrelated to the
counterfeiting enterprise that nevertheless caused them concern: (1) an 11" x 14" black
and white photograph of a nude, prepubescent girl with a "blank" expression on her face;
(2) an 8 ½" x 11" pencil drawing of a nude, prepubescent girl holding a child's stuffed
animal and engaging in sexual activity with a nude adult male; and (3) several dozen
adult magazines which featured nude photographs of what appeared to be adult women
with "immature" features. The agents did not seize these items at the time because they
did not believe them to be contraband.

The agents then interviewed Scott again and asked him about Wolfe's possible
possession of child pornography. Scott stated that Wolfe had shown him an image of a
nude, prepubescent girl on his computer monitor, had offered to show Scott additional
similar images, and had told Scott that he used his telephone modem to download such
images to his computer.

The agents then submitted an affidavit ("Affidavit") seeking a second search
warrant to search the hard drive of Wolfe's personal computer and the seized floppy and
compact disks. The Affidavit identified Scott by name, outlined the information received
from him, and contained detailed descriptions of the items listed above. It did not
explain that Scott had been arrested on counterfeiting charges, but stated both that Scott
"has cooperated with [the agents'] investigation" and that "the investigative foundation
for the affidavit for the [first] warrant was derived primarily" from information provided
by Scott. The Affidavit asked for a warrant to search Wolfe's computer hard drive and
the seized disks for evidence of possession of child pornography.(2)

The magistrate issued the second search warrant. The agents' search of Wolfe's
computer hard drive, floppy disks and compact disks revealed extensive evidence of
possession of child pornography. Based upon this evidence, Wolfe was subsequently
indicted on one count of possession of child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. §
2252.

Wolfe filed a motion in limine seeking to exclude the evidence obtained pursuant
to the second search warrant. Wolfe argued that the Affidavit was insufficient to support
the second search warrant because the items' descriptions did not provide probable cause
to believe that Wolfe possessed contraband and because the Affidavit excluded material
information that impacted Scott's credibility. The government argued in response that
the Affidavit was sufficient to support probable cause that Wolfe possessed contraband,
and that the magistrate was aware that Scott was cooperating with the authorities such
that his credibility was "squarely before the judge." The district court denied Wolfe's
motion. SeeUnited States v. Wolfe, No. 99-CR-47-BU (N.D. Okla. June 16,
1999).
Wolfe thereafter entered a conditional plea on the child pornography charge and filed
timely notice of appeal with this court.

DISCUSSION

The district court had jurisdiction over this case pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §3231.
This court has jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1291.

We have stated that a magistrate judge's decision to issue a warrant is "entitled to
'great deference'" from the reviewing court. SeeUnited States v. Le, 173 F.3d
1258,
1265 (10th Cir. 1999) (quoting United States v. Wittgenstein, 163 F.3d 1164, 1172
(10th
Cir. 1998)). Accordingly, we need only ask whether, under the totality of the
circumstances presented in the affidavit, the magistrate judge had a "'substantial basis'"
for determining that probable cause existed. Seeid.; seealsoIllinois v. Gates, 462 U.S.
213, 238, 103 S. Ct. 2317, 2332, 76 L. Ed. 2d 527 (1983)); United States v. Cusumano,
83 F.3d 1247, 1249-50 (10th Cir. 1996). Probable cause exists where the evidence
presented to the magistrate establishes a fair probability that contraband or evidence of a
crime would be found in the desired search area. SeeLe, 173 F.3d at 1267;
Wittgenstein,
163 F.3d at 1171.

The statute in question, 18 U.S.C. §2252(a)(4)(B), prohibits the knowing receipt
or distribution of "one or more books, magazines, periodicals, films, videotapes, or other
matter which contain any visual depiction that has been mailed, or has been shipped or
transported in interstate or foreign commerce, or which was produced using materials
which have been mailed or so shipped or transported, by any means including by
computer . . . if­(i) the producing of such visual depiction involves the use of a minor
engaging in sexually explicit conduct; and (ii) such visual depiction is of such conduct."(3)

See 18 U.S.C. §2252(a)(4)(B). The definition of "sexually explicit conduct" is
found in
18 U.S.C. §2256, which states that the term includes actual or simulated sexual
intercourse,(4) bestiality, masturbation,
sadistic or masochistic abuse, or lascivious
exhibition of the genitals or pubic area of any person. See 18 U.S.C.
§2256(2)(A)-(E).
Black's Law Dictionary defines "lascivious" to mean "[t]ending to excite lust; lewd;
indecent; obscene; sexual impurity; tending to deprave the morals in respect to sexual
relations; licentious." See Black's Law Dictionary 794 (5th ed. 1979). The term
"lascivious" in 18 U.S.C. §2256(2)(E) has been interpreted to include visual depictions
in which the child does not present herself in a lustful or sexual manner but where "the
photographer arrayed [the photograph] to suit his peculiar lust," because in some cases
"it would be almost incredible that a child of these years would register sexual coyness."
SeeUnited States v. Wiegand, 812 F.2d 1239, 1244 (9th Cir. 1987) (quotations
omitted);
see alsoUnited States v. Villard, 885 F.2d 117 (3d Cir. 1989).

We believe the evidence presented to the magistrate judge in this case established
a fair probability that a search of Wolfe's computer would reveal contraband within the
meaning of 18 U.S.C. §§2252, 2256, such that the magistrate had a "substantial
basis" to
determine that probable cause existed to issue the second search warrant.

The Affidavit described items seen by the agents during the execution of the first
warrant that caused them to believe that Wolfe might possess contraband: (1) the black
and white photograph of a nude prepubescent girl; (2) the pencil drawing of a nude
prepubescent girl holding a child's stuffed animal and engaging in sexual activity with an
adult male; and (3) several dozen adult magazines with pictures of seemingly adult
women with immature features. As the agents acknowledged in the affidavit for the
second search warrant, they did not seize these items at the time of the first warrant
because they did not believe the items were necessarily contraband. This was the proper
thing for the agents to do under these circumstances because the first warrant allowed
them to seize only items related to Wolfe's counterfeiting enterprise and because the
sexually explicit items in question were not illegal on their face. SeeWashington v.
Chrisman, 455 U.S. 1, 5-6, 102 S. Ct. 812, 70 L. Ed. 2d 778 (1982) (holding that the
plain view doctrine "permits a law enforcement officer to seize what is clearly
incriminating evidence or contraband when it is discovered in a place where the officer
has a right to be") (emphasis added). The fact that the items were not immediately seized
does not demonstrate that their possession was legal, only that the agents could not
immediately determine that their possession by Wolfe was "clearly" illegal based upon
what the agents knew at the time of the first search.

The agents were nevertheless concerned about the items in question and continued
to investigate whether they were evidence that Wolfe might possess child pornography in
violation of federal law. The agents interviewed Scott, who had provided them credible
information to support the first search warrant, and Scott confirmed that he had seen a
visual image similar in nature to the questionable items on Wolfe's computer monitor.
He further stated that Wolfe had offered to show him additional computer images of the
same type, which Wolfe had downloaded onto his computer using a modem and a
telephone connection. Based upon this information, the agents submitted the Affidavit
for the second search warrant which requested permission to search Wolfe's computer
hard drive, floppy disks and compact disks for evidence of child pornography. Again,
this was the proper thing for the agents to do in these circumstances. SeeUnited
States
v. Carey, 172 F.3d 1268, 1273 (10th Cir. 1999) (holding that a warrant must be obtained
to search closed computer files on a defendant's personal computer); United States v.
Blount, 123 F.3d 831, 839 n. 6 (5th Cir.1997) (en banc) (noting that items legally
observed in plain view may be referenced in an affidavit to obtain a search warrant).

The magistrate was thus presented with several pieces of information from which
he was asked to determine whether, under a totality of circumstances, there was a "fair
probability" that evidence of possession of child pornography would be found on the
hard drive of Wolfe's personal computer or on the computer disks seized from his home.
We believe the magistrate correctly determined that there was such a "fair probability."

First, the 11"x14" photograph depicting a nude, prepubescent girl with a blank
expression indicated that, even if the photograph itself was not contraband, Wolfe was
apparently interested in possessing pictures of seemingly prepubescent females who were
unclothed. The fact that the child in the picture was not described as presenting herself
in an overtly sexual manner, but was instead described as having a "blank expression,"
does not negate the probative value of that evidence. SeeWeigand, 812 F.2d at
1243-44.

Second, the pencil drawing of a prepubescent girl holding a child's stuffed animal
and engaging in sexual activity with an adult male, while again perhaps not contraband
on its face because it did not necessarily depict "persons" within the meaning of 18
U.S.C. §3356(2)(E), indicated that Wolfe was interested in seeing visual depictions of
apparently underage girls engaging in sexual activity with adult men.

Third, while they are admittedly marginal evidence of Wolfe's interest in
underage girls due to the models' apparent legal age, the adult magazines depicting what
appeared to be adult women with "immature features" provided some indication that
Wolfe was interested in sexually provocative materials featuring women who were
immature at least in appearance, if not in actual age.

All of these items could have been legitimately used by the magistrate to infer that
Wolfe likely possessed additional visual images of immature subjects that would be
contraband within the meaning of 18 U.S.C. §§2252, 2256. AccordUnited States v.
Wood, 695 F.2d 459, 464 (10th Cir. 1982) ("In judging probable cause, issuing
magistrates are not to be confined by niggardly limitations or by restrictions on their use
of common sense.") (citing Spinelli v. United States, 393 U.S. 410, 419, 89 S. Ct. 584,
591, 21 L. Ed. 2d 637 (1969)); Gates, 462 U.S. at 231 (noting that the practical,
non-technical approach that courts should follow in reviewing the sufficiency of warrant
affidavits should allow for common sense inferences about human behavior).

Finally, the statement by Scott that he had seen an image of a nude, prepubescent
girl on Wolfe's computer, and that he was told by Wolfe that he had downloaded more
such pictures onto his computer, provided the necessary nexus between the suspected
criminal activity and the place to be searched. SeeUnited States v.
Corral-Corral, 899
F.2d 927, 937 (10th Cir. 1990). Although Wolfe challenges whether Scott's credibility
was adequately ascertained by the magistrate judge, the fact that Scott was identified by
name, that he related evidence obtained through personal observation and interaction
with Wolfe, and that he had provided credible information to support the issuance of the
first warrant was more than sufficient to support Scott's veracity and basis of
knowledge.(5) The fact that Scott was not
specifically identified as having himself
engaged in illegal activity that might influence his decision to cooperate with the
investigation does not vitiate that conclusion. AccordUnited States v. Hager,
969 F.2d
883, 887 (10th Cir. 1992) (noting that the agents' failure to apprise the magistrate of an
informant's criminal history "does not rise to the level . . . which would affect a
magistrate's conclusion regarding the issuance of this warrant"), abrogated on other
grounds byBailey v. United States, 516 U.S. 137, 116 S. Ct. 501, 133 L. Ed. 2d
472
(1995).

CONCLUSION

For these reasons, we hold that the district court correctly concluded that, based
on the information presented in the Affidavit for the second warrant, the magistrate
correctly found that there was a "fair probability," seeUnited States v. Janus
Indus., 48
F.3d 1548, 1552 (10th Cir. 1995), that contraband within the meaning of 18 U.S.C.
§§
2252, 2256 would be found on Wolfe's computer hard drive, floppy disks or compact
disks seized during the execution of the first warrant.

The decision of the district court is therefore AFFIRMED.

ENTERED FOR THE COURT

David M. Ebel

Circuit Judge

FOOTNOTESClick footnote number to return to corresponding location in the text.

*.* This order and judgment is not binding
precedent, except under the doctrines of
law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. This court generally disfavors the
citation of orders and judgments; nevertheless, an order and judgment may be cited under
the terms and conditions of 10th Cir. R. 36.3.

1. Neither the issuance nor the execution of
the first search warrant has been contested by
Wolfe.

2. The Affidavit also requested permission
to search the hard drive of Wolfe's personal
computer, as well as the seized floppy and compact disks, for evidence of counterfeiting
activity. Specifically, the agents sought computer files that would include templates from
which counterfeit United States currency could be produced. Because the government
has not argued that the child pornography found on Wolfe's computer would inevitably
have been discovered during the agents' search of the computer for evidence of
counterfeiting activity, we do not address that question. We note, however, that while
this court in United States v. Carey, 172 F.3d 1268 (10th Cir. 1999), held that a
warrantless search of closed computer files could not be justified under the plain view
doctrine, Carey does not foreclose an argument that agents searching pursuant to a
warrant for counterfeit currency templates, some of which could conceivably have
computer graphics-type file extensions such as .GIF or .JPG, would inevitably have
uncovered computer graphics files of the type at issue in this case during the course of
the search.

4. This includes sexual intercourse that is
"genital-genital, oral-genital, anal-genital, or
oral-anal, whether between persons of the same or opposite sex." 18 U.S.C.
§2256(2)(A).

5. We are aware that we cannot look to the
prior affidavit itself to support a finding that
the magistrate was aware that Scott had provided credible information in the past because
the first affidavit was not attached to the second warrant application. See Federal Rule
of
Criminal Procedure 41(c) ("A warrant . . . shall issue only on an affidavit or affidavits
sworn to before the federal magistrate judge or state judge and establishing the grounds
for issuing the warrant.") However, the second Affidavit makes clear that Scott had
provided information regarding Wolfe to the agents in the past, that his information
supported the first warrant affidavit, and that items identified in the first warrant affidavit
were in fact located and seized during the execution of the first warrant. We think this
information, coupled with the identification of Scott by name and his personal
observation of the facts to which he attested, was sufficient to establish his credibility
before the magistrate judge. AccordUnited States v. Baca, 480 F.2d 199, 203
(10th Cir.
1973) (noting that officers can establish the credibility of their informants from personal
knowledge and from prior experiences with the informants); United States v. Danhauer,
229 F.3d 1002, 1006 (10th Cir. 2000) ("When there is sufficient independent
corroboration of an informant's information, there is no need to establish the veracity of
the informant.").